North Carolina · Mountain biking

New Light Trail

7.3 mi
loop
542 ft
climb
Loop
route
Mar–Jun, Aug–Nov
best months

New Light Trail is a mountain biking loop in North Carolina's Butner-Falls of Neuse Game Land. The route covers about 7.3 miles and is rated moderate, with roughly 540 feet of total climbing over the full loop. Elevations stay modest, ranging from about 260 feet at the low point to about 390 feet at the top. The steepest pitch comes around the 3.5-mile mark, where the grade reaches about 12 percent. The loop is best ridden counterclockwise. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to ride. Typical averages from the nearby Falls Lake weather station put April highs around 71°F and October highs around 68°F, compared with July highs near 87°F. Dogs are not allowed on the trail. Hikers in the group can head to Duck Cove Trail, about 1.6 miles away, or to the Outer Loop and Inner Loop, both about 1.8 miles away. Paddlers can reach the Neuse River, about 7.6 miles from the trail.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Aug–Nov

    Best time to visit New Light Trail

    Best months: March–June and August–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      49° / 28°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      53° / 30°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      62° / 36°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      71° / 45°

      10 wet

    5. May

      77° / 55°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      84° / 63°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      87° / 68°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 67°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 61°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      68° / 48°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      59° / 37°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      52° / 32°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Falls Lake, NC, 3.5 mi away at 280 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors